General

Question 1

Example of when you have promoted trust

Answer 1

Working on estates in West Somerset often told information about clients which is confidential. I ensure this information is not shared to third parties.

Question 1

Example of acting with integrity

Answer 1

Was asked by a member of public if a parcel of land was coming to the market as they had bene told it was. i was aware that the vendor did not want it to be public knowledge until it had been launched as it was sensitive sale for the family. I decided to inform the member of public that I was unable to answer the question but happy to help with anything else

Question 2

Example of acting responsibly

Answer 2

Sent an email to a client with some figures for a CSS agreement, after sending the email I realized the figures were wrong. I phoned the client to inform them that the figures were wrong and I would re send with correct figures

Question 3

Example of high standard of service

Answer 3

Client wanted to submit a mid tier agreement, we were getting close to the deadline and it was important to meet to understand what options they wanted. Met out of wokring hours as it was only time avaible for client

Question 4

Dealt with client pressure

Answer 4

Accepted instruction from current client to firm, to carry out MA on land. Produced a letter, client asked me to chnage the value of the land by a 10% increase. I was aware that this was a good client for my firm but did not allow their pressure to chnage my professional judgement.

Question 5

Good client communication

Answer 5

Vendor selling a property via auction with us, was away on holiday and unable to watch auction. Property did not meet reserve and we were unable to sell after auction despite lots of pre auction interest. Decided to phone the client to break the bad news and arranged a face to face appointment to discuss the next opton for them.

Question 6

Successful negotiation

Answer 6

Existing client to firm recieved a letter from an agent on behalf of a neighbor requesting my client removed a newly installed replacement gateway that adjoined their driveway. I arranged a site meeting with the agent, prior to the meeting I noted my main points so i was prepared. Listened during the meeting to understand the agents points, having informed the agent that it was a replacement gateway replaced by the local authority and my client had no plans or desire to use it for vehicular access we agreed that the gate would remain in situ and therefor a win win situation.

Question 7

How do you conduct yourself in negotiations

Answer 7

I plan ahead and make sure i am prepared
understand who I am against and how I should communicate
listen during discussions and be respectful
provide my stance and refer to supporting evidence
be empathetic and aim for win win scenario

Question 8

How you ensure good communication

Answer 8

make sure i am contactable for clients
be clear and concise
honest and open
select appropriate communication methods
invite feedback

Question 9

Promote trust in the profession

Answer 9

When agreeing HoTs for an FBT i became aware that the tenant did not have an agent acting on their behalf. I advised the tenant that they should seek professional advise in order for them to fully understand the terms that they were agreeing to. Rather than taking advantage of the situation I believe I promoted trust

Question 10

Treated surveyor with respect

Answer 10

Ensure i always treat others with respect as per the professional rules of conduct. Listen to their ideas and opinions whilst conversing with them. Understand rhat they act in their clients best interests so our pro opinions will not always align

Question 11

Example conflict in firm

Answer 11

Firm were instructed to act on behalf of an ingoing valuation for a Devon County Council Farm. My firm had acted for the out going tenant on the same holding ubut seven years ago. Obtained informed consent from both parties and DCC approved.

Question 12

PII for firms

Answer 12

claims made basis
underwritten by RICS apporved insurer
mim limit based on firms turn over
run off cover 6 years limitation act 1980
run off pool cover
certificate sent to RICS as part of annual return

Question 13

Tell me about Bio Diversity offsetting

Answer 13

Legal requirement under the Environment Act 2021, from Feb 2024 it was a legal requirement that all planning permissions granted must deliver a 10% bio diversity gain, small sites were exempt but from April 2024 they wont be.

Question 14

What legislation governs Bio Diversity

Answer 14

Environment Act 2021

Question 15

What is an SSSi/ NVZ/ AONB

Answer 15

SSSI designated areas of water or land that are valuable for geology or scientific purposes. NVZ areas of land that are designated as being at risk of Nitrate pollution. Area of outstanding natural beauty areas of land designated for conservation due to significant landscape value

Question 16

What are ELMS

Answer 16

Environmental Land Management Scheme under Agricultural Act 2020, public goods for public money concept

Question 17

Talk me through a grant application you have completed

Answer 17

Recently completed a CSS stand alone grant, this has a rolling application window and allows applicants to apply for options that deliver environmental benefits under different categories such as water quality, air quality, boundaries tree and orchards.

Met with client to confirm which options they required whilst advising on the payment value and application process.

FG2- £7.47

FG12- £189.90

LV7 & LV8

accounts letter

Question 18

Viability Assessment

Answer 18

Jo Marshall

SFI

Winter Bird Seed / hay making

£515/ha

Question 19

Talk me through a CSS mid tier you have completed

Answer 19

Olly Mathews

approx 200 acres improved grassland with low inputs on Exmoor

70% went into GS2 low input grassland as it wouldnt affect his farming regime

GS4 on some parcels that had evidence of white clover etc

left some parcels free to give him degree of flexibility

BE3as applicant was not trimming hedges every year

FG2

also looking to incorporate some SFI

Question 20

RP28 grant- how would it benefit the client

Answer 20

Client had already idented the need for a sprayer washdown shed as the strawberry enterprise was growing

paid £72 psm which would fund most of the project and doing it under the scheme ensured it would be EA compliment

Question 21

RP28- talk me through application from start to finish

Answer 21

The application was a stand alone application, we therefor were not tied to a deadline.

The client runs a large farming business and has a farm manager who is hands on, having confirmed their instruction and got signed terms of engagement the manger obtained a number of quotes from local suppliers and contractors. In the mean time I completed CSF request form which detailed the farming business details, advice we required and the items we wished to apply for.

Met on site with CSF officer to talk through application and agree approval. He requested concreting of front of shed adjoining concrete track to dity water doesn’t reach ditch.

Received CSF approval and submitted the application with supporting plans

RPA requested accountants letter as application was over £50K threshold

Question 22

What comments did the CSFO make

Answer 22

They were in support of the application as the roofing would reduce rainwater pollution by preventing rain water getting into proposed sprayer wash down.

They requested a new area of concrete to be laid to the front of the shed to meet an existing concrete track to reduce amount of surface water run offer containing sediments and phosphate.

Question 23

FIPL- what was the criteria for applicants

Answer 23

Farmers and land managers in an AONB or national park, must manage land within application and have full control of proposed activity. Must provide benefit to landscape or landscape bodies objectives.

Question 24

Advice given to development of poly tunel and irrigation system?

Answer 24

Looked into the feasibility and viability of the business. Growing on site sourced seeds to grow replacement native trees for ancinet woodland.

Advised that if the grant funding was achieved a pilot scheme should be done within 3 years, if succesful then look to become commercial profit makign business.

Advice that permitted development would need to be submitted for permanent polly tunnel

applicaiton £5K total

Question 25

SIG application

Answer 25

Currently has approx 4 months slurry storage for pig holding, requires a minimum of 6 months storage

had approx 3,000 cubic sq m

needed

Question 26

How is planning decided

Answer 26

In accordance with Section 70(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 which you can view here and section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 planning applications have to be determined in accordance with the development plan (our planning policy) unless there are material considerations that indicate otherwise.